ADD A PIECE OF STATEMENT FURNITURE Every room needs one: a focal point that makes a big statement. If your room doesn’t have one already, what about adding a piece of furniture covered in an arresting fabric? Lisa is a retired art director with a gift for pattern mixing. TREAT YOUR BOOKCASES AS STORYBOOKS Take a tour of the bookcases, hutches and cabinets in your home. Are you using these fabulous pieces to their full potential, to add personality to your home? For me, bookcases are stages for little vignettes that share snapshots of my life. A secretary desk in one of Lisa’s daughter’s room is a great example of how to do this. Each shelf contains a mix of treasures that tell of the occupant’s passions.
This set of vintage chairs is useful but not antique.
HANG SOME OUT-OF THE-BOX ARTWORK Do a quick appraisal of your walls. Are they bare? If you have hung art, do the pieces light up your spirit and reflect your personality? If not, it’s time to get going on filling your walls with works of art that are equal to you. In one of her daughter’s rooms, Lisa added a whimsical gold hunting trophy. What can you turn into art in your home? Trays, dishes and family mementos are all great options. If you can hang it, it can be art.
FEATURE PILLOWS THAT ARE LOADED WITH PERSONALITY A pair of dazzling earrings or a gorgeous scarf can transform an outfit. Fabulous accent pillows do the same thing in your home. The right mix of pillows can give a generic sofa, chair or bedding ensemble oodles of personality. In her guest room, Lisa kept her color palette tight, letting a mix of textures and patterns tell the story. Pick a spot in your home to refresh with interesting pillows. FINISH YOUR WINDOWS WITH FLAIR Your windows are pieces of art in their own right, featuring the world outside. Like art, they look their best in a great frame. Lisa’s magnificent window treatments complement her bedroom’s style, while adding a subtle commentary all their own. Full window treatments are an investment, so select styles and fabrics that won’t be dated in a few years. Lisa’s Roman shades and classic panels trimmed in a Greek key tape are timeless, and breathtaking. Do you have any windows that need a makeover? Resolve to dress them up in 2018. This column was adapted from Mary Carol Garrity’s blog at www.nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com. ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Try These Eight Summer Cleaning Hacks Not sure where to start? Here are some tips to help you clear the clutter this summer and refresh and rejuvenate your space. • Implement the “one in, one out” rule. If you purchase a new item, purge an old one. • Edit, then re-edit. Ask yourself if the item is really necessary. If the answer is no, then get rid of it! • Take inventory. Often homeowners lose track of what they own, especially if items are stored away in attics, basements or offsite storage. Be sure to fully access what you own, and if you are not using certain items after five years, consider donating or selling them. • Consider having a seasonal closet. Store summer items in your closet, while storing offseason clothing and items elsewhere. • Downsize. Whether you are considering living with less or donating items you no longer want or use, summer is a good time to remove any excess. • Organize. Whether you choose to implement a color-coding system or a unique identification method, organization can be the key to maximizing any space. • Deep clean. As you settle into summer and look to fall, why not give your home a thorough cleaning? • Execute weather-sensitive home improvement or maintenance items. The summer is an ideal time to set projects into motion.
An organizational system can help you maximize space.
By Cathy Hobbs Spring is the traditional time when homeowners may think of a cleanup, but summer is also an ideal time to cleanse and purge. With summer comes relaxed days and for some, days off from work and shorter work weeks, making it the ideal time to allocate time for sprucing up, clearing out clutter, and refreshing.
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Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Email her at info@ cathyhobbs.com <mailto:info@cathyhobbs.com> or visit her website at ww. ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021
E11
